essential companion to "Full Catastrophe Living" 2010-06-30

Reviewer: Sarah Haussermann

In his book, "Full Catastrophe Living," author Jon Kabat-Zinn directs the reader through an 8-week stress-reduction program and suggests the reader use "the tapes" for guidance. These CDs are "the tapes." I highly recommend them.

Before purchasing these CDs, I tried doing some of the exercises in "Full Catastrophe Living" on my own, like the body scan. The body scan is a long and intricate meditation, and I found I couldn't learn it from reading a book.

But when I did the body scan with the CD--wow--what a difference. The CD made it so clear what to do.

There are four CDs in this package: one is the body scan, one is a sitting meditation, and two are yoga. I found them all equally useful and cannot imagine doing the 8-week program on one's own without this set.

Each disc is an exercise unto itself, with Kabat-Zinn guiding you as if he were in the room with you. There is no corny music; it's just his voice giving specific instruction. The book ("Full Catastrophe Living") makes it clear when and how often to do each exercise.

For privacy and portability, I transferred the CDs to my ipod. This worked great for the sitting meditation and body scan. With yoga, though, it's tough to use headphones without entangling oneself.

The only problem with the CDs is their cardboard-paper packaging: it scratches the discs with each use. If you plan on regularly using these CDs in your stereo, I recommend putting them in a different, non-scratch case.

The real thing 2010-06-06

Reviewer: Ira Silverman

For much of my life I had been plagued by anxiety. I had tried many different solutions from talk to medicine. These CD's were like a miracle. After a month it was like I was transformed. I felt relaxed and capable of dealing with stressful situations with no anxiety. They are a combination of meditation and some yoga (nothing exotic). It does require a substantial commitment of time. Each CD is about 45 minutes and you are supposed to listen 6 days a week. If my experience is representative you should give the plan a try.

Great! 2010-06-01

Reviewer: R. Volzer

wonderful. If I had more time every day or I was more disciplined, I would use this program more often!

Worth the money 2010-05-20

Reviewer: Craig Taylor

I am new to meditation. This CD pack has worked well for me. The more I practice, the better it gets. Each meditation is 45 minutes. I practice about 3 times a week. The author does a good job guiding you through the meditation.

Very helpful! 2010-05-18

Reviewer: P. Reagor

These meditations are a perfect companion to Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness by Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Breath by Breath: The Liberating Practice of Insight Meditation by Larry Rosenberg -- for the beginning or early-practice serious meditator. I dumped them all into iTunes, then onto my iPhone for total transportability; moderately clear labelling of tracks makes it easy enough to select the right guidance for the right moment-to-moment whim or preference. Set a wristwatch timer for silent extension of sitting/lying/yoga-ing/walking period after the guidance is done. An egghead with three graduate degrees, I usually analyze everything; I don't know (or care) why I keep choosing to use and re-use these tracks, but I do. After more than 50 repetitions of one 40+-minute meditation, I am still noticing phrases or nuances as if for the first time.